Marina, there's other threads offering advice to ppl moving to Brisbane - funnily enough, no one has asked for advice on moving to Sydney or Melbourne
You specifically ask for advice re good suburbs and good schools. Good is a subjective judgement, as indicated by the broad and conflicting recommendations above.
From the way you have framed your question, one might be excused for thinking your interpretation of 'good' is as broad as the responses above.
Nevertheless, maybe others reading this thread might benefit from refining the advice given....in achieving this, you might respond more specifically to the questions below. Your responses will help Somersofters to provide you with more tailored advice:
- Where in Sydney do you live now? and do you want to live in a similar or otherwise area? If otherwise, please expand.
- What criteria do you define a good school by? strict Catholic values? superior academic achievement? well rounded personality? strong sports background? the elites send their kids there? they don't sell junk food in their tuck shop?
there's a line of clean BMW X5s and Lexus 4wd's outside at 3.30pm ready to taxi kiddies to private ballet, tennis, or french horn lessons? there's a line of snot nosed kids out the front waiting for a late bus at 3.30pm?
- What value do you place on your husband's time with family? and therefore, what commute time would you prefer be his maximum?
- How would you prefer your husband commute to work? car or public transport?
- Does your husband have a car space at work as part of his package or will he have to pay for public parking?
- Are your children happier with a larger backyard with room to play amongst trees and pool? or are they content with a smaller yard, as you might get with a townhouse?
- Do you want to be in an area where there are other children living closeby for yours to play with? or is it more important for you to live in an inner urban area closer to trendy cafes and restaurants, but populated by DINKS?
- Brisbane-ites often define themselves as preferring either Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast holidays. The Gold Coast offering more excitment and things to do (that you pay for). The Sunshine Coast offering a more laid back tranquil holiday in a less built environment. Which coast would your family prefer Marina?
I could go on Marina.......but I won't.......I might put you off moving to a provincial backwater and cultural wasteland like Brisbane
